Preview 2017: how do we bounce back?

[Hawk Dork]

Im sick of the drought

 

[Qlder_19]

Im sick of the drought

Already 6 days in and it feels like forever

 

[LindaCresLove]

Clearly the only way to get back on top is to get one B. Lake out of retirement

Double like.

Probably should have made the move b4 he hit the Pie Shop

 

[Hawk_francais]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/video/2016-10-07/season-review-kieran-lovell

Starting 22 next year, forgot how much he showed in just 2 games. I was surprised he never got a call up later in the season.

 

[OnceKicked50]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/video/2016-10-07/season-review-kieran-lovell

Starting 22 next year, forgot how much he showed in just 2 games. I was surprised he never got a call up later in the season.

How do we improve in 2017? Aside from the trades mentioned, it's blokes like this kicking say a Hodge, Lewis or Birch out of our best 22...

 

[Hawk_francais]

How do we improve in 2017? Aside from the trades mentioned, it's blokes like this kicking say a Hodge, Lewis or Birch out of our best 22...

Look OnceKicked50, I am sick to death of people suggesting Birchall in 'cooked' or 'not best 22'.

This man is 28, played 24 games this year, is injury free and simply had a down end to the season. There is absolutely nothing preventing from recapturing his All-Australian form, and as a veteran of 240 games and 4 flags, is worth his weight in gold in terms of experience for a backline which will lose 2 key players to retirement in the next 12 months.

So I ask you, and all fans suggesting he should be moved on: what on god's earth are you talking about?

 

[OnceKicked50]

Look OnceKicked50, I am sick to death of people suggesting Birchall in 'cooked' or 'not best 22'.

This man is 28, played 24 games this year, is injury free and simply had a down end to the season. There is absolutely nothing preventing from recapturing his All-Australian form, and as a veteran of 240 games and 4 flags, is worth his weight in gold in terms of experience for a backline which will lose 2 key players to retirement in the next 12 months.

So I ask you, and all fans suggesting he should be moved on: what on god's earth are you talking about?

Gee, pretty quick to fly off on one there. My point, and I suggest you read this again, is that status quo resulted in the Hawks probably being flattered by finishing 5th this season. Improvement aside from trades will come from younger guys coming through and demanding one of our elder legends spots, birch included.... Not a vendetta against a legend of our club mate but at the end of the year if Howe or Burton has had a break out season and birch misses out on his half-back spot perhaps long term we have improved?

 

[threesixpio]

Really early days for Connor G but hoping he has a good development year ...and maybe puts pressure on players later next year ...(unlikely)

 

[Manila_Hawk]

Really early days for Connor G but hoping he has a good development year ...and maybe puts pressure on players later next year ...(unlikely)

Me too. I see him playing off half back and runing through the centre.

His Gaelic footy highlights were impressive. Great overhead.

 

[threesixpio]

Me too. I see him playing off half back and runing through the centre.

His Gaelic footy highlights were impressive. Great overhead.

That's what I want too. Pacey HB with great skills . He might be it

 

[Hawk_francais]

Gee, pretty quick to fly off on one there. My point, and I suggest you read this again, is that status quo resulted in the Hawks probably being flattered by finishing 5th this season. Improvement aside from trades will come from younger guys coming through and demanding one of our elder legends spots, birch included.... Not a vendetta against a legend of our club mate but at the end of the year if Howe or Burton has had a break out season and birch misses out on his half-back spot perhaps long term we have improved?

It doesn't make sense!!! He's not old dude, and he still playing great footy. His 4th place finish in the B&F should tell you how the coaches view him.

 

[WWSD]

If Roughead does come back at some point in 2017, then we are only missing a genuine center half back in our best 22.

Full Back: Frawley
Center Half Back: ?
Center Half Forward: Vickery
Full Forward: Roughead
Ruck: McEvoy
Forward/2nd Ruckman: Fitzpatrick

Utility: Gunston, Schoenmakers and Burton

There's the option of course of playing Schoenmakers in defense again at center half back next season, but he's done a solid job since moving away from the back-line the past couple of seasons. Not sure where Schoenmakers fits into the clubs plans for next year if we have Roughead, Vickery, Burton and Sicily all available for selection he might be pushed behind in the pecking order and find himself outside of the best 22.

 

[Brant]

If Roughead does come back at some point in 2017, then we are only missing a genuine center half back in our best 22.

Full Back: Frawley
Center Half Back: ?
Center Half Forward: Vickery
Full Forward: Roughead
Ruck: McEvoy
Forward/2nd Ruckman: Fitzpatrick

Utility: Gunston, Schoenmakers and Burton

There's the option of course of playing Schoenmakers in defense again at center half back next season, but he's done a solid job since moving away from the back-line the past couple of seasons. Not sure where Schoenmakers fits into the clubs plans for next year if we have Roughead, Vickery, Burton and Sicily all available for selection he might be pushed behind in the pecking order and find himself outside of the best 22.

Would have Roughy @ CHF & Victory @ FF, but that's not an issue.

 

[KOLOKOTRONIS]

Roughead changes everything. Would have gone much deeper had he been out there.

A fit o'meara is enormous. He was outstanding when out there.

O'rourke pick 2 must do something big. Disappointing so far.

KOLOKOTRONIS

 

[Hawkboy62]

Despite Clarko's fighting words at the B&F it appears we are not genuine contenders in 2017, even if we get TMitch, JOM & Vickery. If we were I think Sam would be sure to stay this year.

It will be a year of developement so we need to get more games into our youth. Would not be against other best 22 players moving on if it would help satisfy our trade requirements and also enable us to draft for the future.
Even if we get Roughy back we are lightweight in our spine compared to our main competitors.

Losing established players would enable us to get blocks of games into our youth. We will have an updated game plan that the team will have to get used to, plus we have 3 key players to integrate in to the group, so we can't expect everything to click at once. If Sam goes then his spot, Hills and Schoeys/Fitz 's will be taken up by the recruits so we will have Brand, Howe, Langers, Billy, JOR, Stewart, Hardwicke,TOB and Lovell fighting for 2 positions.

Better to take the pain next year and get games into the youth to find out who our future stars will be. With experience and good recruiting hope to rise again from 2018 onwards.

 

[Hawkflag]

Most players will improve in 2017, except Hodge, Burgoyne, Gibson and Birchill - just hope they stay consistant.

2017 all depends on these 6 players:

Shoenmakers
O'Rourke
Frawley
Hartung
Durey
Langford

These players are all over the shop. If they actually play well rather than show flashes here and there, then we will be a cracking squad.

The rest of the team I'm confident in will improve and perform consistantly. But these gents listed above...well just frustrating